Image Source: The Guardian
Helen Mirren is at the center of a sharply negative review of MobLand season two, with the Paramount+ crime drama described as dull, humorless and overly dependent on crude jokes. The series, which features Mirren alongside Pierce Brosnan and Tom Hardy, returned for its second season with a new gangland conflict but failed to impress Guardian television critic Sarah Dempster.
Helen Mirren’s MobLand Return Faces a Brutal Verdict
In a review published on September 18, 2026, Dempster questioned the creative choices behind the latest episodes of the London-set gangster drama. The critic focused on the show’s lack of charm, strained dialogue and reliance on familiar crime-fiction clichés.
MobLand was created by Ronan “Top Boy” Bennett and directed by Guy Ritchie. The first season followed Tom Hardy’s Harry Da Souza, a stoic fixer caught between powerful criminal families. Season two continues that story as the Harrigan family searches for new enemies after battling the rival Stevensons.
At the center of the drama are veteran crime boss Conrad Harrigan, played by Brosnan, and his wife Maeve Harrigan, portrayed by Helen Mirren. The review describes Mirren’s casting as a surprising mismatch, while also criticizing Brosnan’s attempt at an Irish accent.
A New Gangland Threat Emerges
The second season introduces a Turkish criminal organization that challenges the Harrigans’ influence. The conflict begins after the group appears to bypass Conrad in favor of his wayward son Kevin, played by Paddy Considine, during a disputed drug deal.
The story involves shifting alliances, family tension and a possible hidden force working to divide the Harrigans. Dialogue in the episodes references fentanyl, heroin and a growing war among former allies. However, the review argues that the complicated plot does little to generate suspense.
Rather than building momentum, the series is portrayed as a long procession of gangland confrontations, car chases and violent set pieces. The second season reportedly consists of 10 episodes, each running for approximately 48 minutes before advertising breaks.
Crude Humor Becomes the Show’s Biggest Target
One of the strongest criticisms concerns the show’s repeated testicle jokes and aggressive profanity. Dempster argues that the humor is juvenile and so frequent that it overwhelms the rest of the writing.
The review points to several examples, including threats involving “Turkish testicles” and a scene in which Maeve makes an explicit comment about a sausage. A brief image of a greyhound urinating on a racetrack is also singled out as an odd creative choice with an unclear meaning.
For Helen Mirren, the moment is particularly notable because it places an acclaimed performer in an intentionally coarse and absurd setting. The review suggests that the gag does not create memorable comedy; instead, it reinforces the sense that the series is trying too hard to appear outrageous.
Why the Crime Drama Is Struggling to Connect
The Guardian assessment argues that crime dramas of this type need wit, style or compelling characters to make violence and swagger entertaining. According to the review, MobLand lacks those qualities, leaving behind what it calls a repetitive mix of fists, guns and profanity.
The characters are described as unpleasant, while their banter is considered relentless rather than clever. The review also questions whether the show’s exaggerated accents and gangland mannerisms offer anything fresh in a crowded television market.
That criticism extends beyond Helen Mirren and Brosnan’s performances. Hardy’s Harry is characterized as a vehicle for exposition, carrying information from one scene to another without enough emotional depth. The result, the review says, is a crime series filled with action but short on genuine engagement.
What Viewers Can Expect From MobLand Season Two
- A continuing power struggle involving the Harrigan family.
- New opposition from a Turkish criminal organization.
- Returning performances from Pierce Brosnan, Tom Hardy and Helen Mirren.
- Violent confrontations, drug-deal disputes and family betrayals.
- Crude humor and heavily profane dialogue throughout the season.
Despite the review’s harsh verdict, viewers interested in British gangster television, Guy Ritchie’s visual style or the cast may still want to make their own assessment. Helen Mirren remains one of the production’s biggest draws, and her role as Maeve gives the series an established star presence.
MobLand season two is available on Paramount+. The Guardian review ultimately concludes that its celebrity cast, violence and elaborate criminal plot cannot overcome weak characterization and what it sees as a serious shortage of wit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Helen Mirren’s role in MobLand?
Helen Mirren plays Maeve Harrigan, the wife of veteran gang boss Conrad Harrigan, portrayed by Pierce Brosnan.
What is MobLand season two about?
The second season follows the Harrigan family as it faces new criminal rivals, internal tensions and a disputed drug deal involving Kevin Harrigan.
Who stars alongside Helen Mirren?
The main cast includes Pierce Brosnan, Tom Hardy and Paddy Considine, with Hardy returning as fixer Harry Da Souza.
Where can viewers watch MobLand?
MobLand season two is streaming on Paramount+.
What did the review criticize most?
The review criticized the show’s slow pacing, weak characters, forced banter, heavy profanity and repeated testicle jokes.
